Air travel for pets and emotional support animals has more than doubled in the past year, according to airlines. As a result, carriers are tightening their restrictions to avoid danger (and drama) for human and nonhuman fliers alike.

DON'T: Forget to pack the necessary gear.

“Prepare a kit with proof of vaccinations, food, water, bowls, any medication your pet requires, and other necessities such as a litter box, litter, and waste bags,” says Lori Bierbrier, medical director at ASPCA Community Medicine.

DO: Properly ID your pet.

“Never travel with pets unless they have had microchips implanted and are wearing external tags that include your up-to-date contact information,” Bierbrier says.

DON'T: Wait until the last minute to plan your pet’s travel.

“The consequences of rushing range from relatively minor annoyances (like unexpected costs) to serious complications such as an airline denying your pet’s boarding — or even flying it back to your place of departure,” says Brent Reiter, operations manager at Airpets America. “A pet relocation service can help avoid those problems.”

DO: Check species and breed restrictions.

Reiter notes that "most airlines tend to restrict bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, chows, and pugs, as they are brachycephalic (short-headed, or snub nosed) and thus more susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity."

DON'T: Sedate your pet before traveling.

“Instead, help your pet get comfortable in the travel crate. Leave the carrier open in the house so your pet can spend time in it and eat inside,” says Derek Huntington, president of the International Pet & Animal Transportation Association. “If it’s a comforting space, your pet will want to be in it during travel.”

DO: Carry necessary paperwork.

“This encompasses an import permit from the destination country and a health certificate that meets the country’s requirements,” says Huntington. “Pro pet shippers can assist with the transport process; find one using IPATA's searchable database.”

DON'T: Let your pet ride loose in a car.

For Gordie Spater, co-founder of pet travel gear company Kurgo, “this is the number one mistake pet parents are still making. A loose dog is a danger to the driver, other passengers, and of course, the animal itself.”

DO: Get a clean bill of health.

“For example, check that your pet’s blood tests and vaccinations, such as for rabies, are current and have been administered within the proper time frame. If your dog is traveling, check that it has received an appropriate tapeworm treatment,” says Beadle.

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Best Practices for Traveling with Your Pet

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